Chapter 3: Breaking and Entering

Mick climbed into the freezer first with Beth right behind him snuggling into his embrace. After finishing at the loft they had brought Kayla home so she could finish her homework and go play in her tree house for a bit before dinner time.

"I think we did good answering those questions." Beth mused.

Mick gave a laugh, "Yes we did. Although you being tongue tied over a question was a first."

Beth swatted his chest, "Hey I already had the where do babies come from talk thank you. You're a medic and you skipped out on that one. I wasn't quite expecting to have a where do vampires come from talk."

"We did it as a team," he soothed.

"We make a good team. I've said it a hundred times."

Kissing her forehead Mick inhaled her scent remembering the first time she told him that. "Yes you have and each time you are right. Now let's get some sleep."

Kimberly leaned into Ashton as they made a quick stop at the office before heading to his San Francisco home. Since his proposal they had been back to LA for a few days when they heard some nice places were on the market and found one that suited them nicely. It was a spacious three bedroom two bath condo in the center of it all. While the place went through closing and had the slight renovations made to it they had thought it would be a great time to spend in San Francisco.

Ashton was so enamored in Kimberly and her talk of their place he didn't notice that no one was at the front desk. His first sense that something was wrong was when he found his office door hanging ajar. "Stay here," he pressed Kimberly against the wall.

Slowly Ashton stepped into the office and saw the mess it now was. Papers and files lay scattered all over the office, drawers overturned, and the framed pictures left on the wall hanging askew. He scented the area and knew it was vampires but he couldn't figure out more than that. He walked back out to Kimberly who was shaking slightly. "What happened?" She whispered.

"Someone broke in. No one is here now don't be frightened. I wouldn't let anything happy to you."

She nodded and leaned in to him as he pulled her body to his. "Why would someone break in?"

He sighed, "My firm handles a large amount of delicate business. One leak could cause disastrous effects."

"What happened to your guards?"

Ashton sighed. "After Mia turned many of them I never got around to replacing those I lost. I figured the human system would be enough but clearly I was wrong. I'm sorry my golden goddess I believe this trip may take longer than I anticipated. I can't go back to LA until this matter is resolved."

"I understand." Kimberly walked over to one corner of the room and reached down to start picking things up.

"You don't have to clean this up."

She smiled over at him, "I know but you need to make some calls don't you? I might as well do something useful."

Ashton knew just who to call. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed David's number. It rang a few times before David answered, "Hello."

"I realize the time did I disturb you?"

David walked out of the freezer room not wanting to wake Candice knowing she'd be up in a couple hours getting ready to head to the office. "It's fine. What has you calling at this hour?"

"Kimberly and I just got back to San Francisco and on the way home from the airport I wanted to stop by the office. My office was broken into."

"What about your security detail?"

"Most turned with Mia. I put off getting new recruits and now I have this. You understand how important my secrecy is. I don't think they found anything of interest at the moment as we were just here four days ago and nothing new has come in since then and they didn't find my hidden safe."

"Still it's not a good thing that someone was able to break in."

"Exactly. That's why I call my friend. I know you work for Mr. Kostan but I had hoped if you were able if perhaps you could come over and help me. I need to hire new people, people I can trust, and I want to upgrade my security system but to be honest I want someone I know and trust doing it."

Ashton thought for a moment, "Of course if you could come I wouldn't dare think to ask you to come alone. The invitation is open to your lovely mate as well. I have a guest room with a nice large freezer."

David chuckled. Spending some time away from LA with Candice seemed like a nice idea. A mini vacation of sorts. He'd be working but they'd make it work.

"I would like to help Ashton you know that however I need to talk it over first. With Candice and with Josef I am his head of security and can't neglect my job here."

"I understand. I'm calling next a human team to have patrol on the office until I can plan the next move."

David looked at the clock. "Well let me get back to bed and I'll talk to them in the morning and get back with you."

"Thank you David."

Ashton disconnected the line and looked over to where Kimberly was organizing papers surprised at the progress she had made. He wrapped his arms around her and enjoyed how her body leaned into his instantly. "Is David coming?"

"He has to check with his employer and with his mate."

She grinned at that. "His mate huh?"

"I know not what else to call her. She is his lover yes but it is more than that."

"It's cute. So am I your mate?"

"You my beauty are my fiancé." He leaned down and kissed her lips. "I have another quick call to make and once someone arrives to relieve us and watch the office we can go home and rest."

Kimberly kissed his lips softly and moved back to what she was doing. Ashton watched her as he placed the next call.

To Be Continued…

Evilous